Burghardt Sporting Goods Expands into RiverPoint Village Shopping Center

After recently celebrating its 130th anniversary, Burghardt Sporting Goods will be moving into the old location at the RiverPoint Village Shopping Center, 8625 N. Port Washington Road.

The locally, family-owned business is expanding after receiving approval to move into the new location from the Tuesday evening. According to Burghardt owners, this will be the businesses' second location to compliment its other store at 14460 W. Capitol Drive in Brookfield.

“We’re outgrowing our current store and we just want a larger slice of the sporting goods market in the Milwaukee area,” said Brian Burghardt, a fifth-generation co-owner.

Burghardt runs the business with his brother and two sisters at his side. With 55 employees, the expansion to Fox Point is expected to increase the store’s total number of employees by approximately one dozen.

“We sell it all and we carry it all, and that allows us to be a survivor in a rough economy,” Burghardt said.

Despite a lagging and an uncertain economy the past few years, Burghardt Sporting Goods has seen steady growth. Much of its success, according to the owners, can be attributed to their willingness to be nimble, which allows the Burghardt family to react a lot quicker than other, larger sporting goods stores.  

Opening its doors in 1881 in downtown Milwaukee, Burghardts is the second oldest sporting goods store in the nation. Its connection to local communities throughout Milwaukee, by providing schools with jerseys, has given Burghardt the reputation over the years as the place to go for custom printed gear and other sports equipment.  

“We’re super proud of our tradition, it’s a story you don’t hear very often,” Burghardt said. “I put a lot of faith in my brothers and sisters; they’re the people I’m most comfortable with. We have other great employees that have come along also, but when it comes to really solidifying the core, my brothers and sisters are who we’ve turned to,” Burghardt added.

The family will take occupancy of its new space in Fox Point this December, with an expected store grand opening to take place in March, 2012.